Always

Chapter 10: Whole New World With You

As the professors looked around, Severus watched over her and in his hand, he kept a single rose. It was the biggest one of them all, and he held it tightly. She had to fight to stay alive. No mere medicine or magic could save her from this. It had only been one full day of her being unconscious but he hated it. He stood at the end of the bed and saw one of the candles. He picked it up in his large, cold hands, and he looked at Minerva who stood beside him smiling a little. "If I had one wish that I would want to make....." He said softly as he looked over at Beth. ".....then I would wish for Elizabeth's soul to return to us." He finished. He sighed, blowing out the candle as Minerva patted his back. The other professors left along with her and he too was prepared to leave, almost accepting the fact that she was not going to come back. He was almost out of the room when something made him stop in his tracks.

"Severus?"

A very soft voice asked as he turned around very slowly wondering who said it. Beth's eyes were open and she looked at him smiling. "Leaving so soon?" She asked. He did not hesitate at all, as he ran over to her in shock and he embraced her tightly on the bed as he was shaking. "Elizabeth.....you are alive." He said in a shaky voice as Beth smiled. "It's okay...I am here to stay. There is so much I want to say to you Severus." She spoke as he gently covered her mouth with his long cold finger. "No. If I may.....I wish to confess something." He said as she nodded readily to listen. "I am not able to say this very clearly so please bear with me." He said as she looked him into his eyes. He then gently gave her the rose he was holding and she held it gently as she had a surprised look on her face.

"I was once in love with a woman named Lily Potter. She meant everything to me, but our houses separated us. After all those years, I still loved her. Even in death, I loved her. She haunted me in my nightmares and once you came along, I felt like she was trying to haunt me with her presence. She looked just like you. The resemblance is really astounding, so much so that I hated you for it. I wanted you out of Hogwarts, and out of my way. However, as I got to understand you and go out with you and be around you, I realized that perhaps it was time to move on. I do not remember the last time I had smiled or laughed, but when I am around you, it is near impossible to not laugh or to not smile. Your positive outlook on life itself inspires me to do the same. I want to give you the whole world, and be the best individual for you that I can be." He said in a whisper as Beth looked into his eyes still shocked. "Severus....what are you saying?" She asked as he gently touched her cheek and though his was cold, her skin was warm and it was comforting. "Elizabeth Washington, would you have any interest in being my......my.....my....." He was struggling to ask her. She smiled at him. "Your girlfriend?" She asked as he nodded slowly. He gulped out of nervousness, and she could swear she saw the lump in his throat go down. She gently held his face as she moved some of his hair out of the way. "If I agree to this, promise me one thing." She said as he nodded. "Of course, anything you wish or desire." He said. "You need to smile more around your students, and around me." She giggled as he chuckled. "No promises....but I will try." He spoke as she smiled. "Then by all means, I say yes." She said as they embraced each other and he rubbed her back, cradling her in his arms as she heard him sigh in relief. "I didn't think you had it in you, Severus Snape." She giggled into his chest as he smiled. "Oh?" He asked as he tilted her head up. "And another thing I wanted to mention...." He spoke as he leaned down and softly kissed her lips. She was surprised but happy as she kissed him back. His lips were surprisingly warm and soft as they gently touched her equally soft lips. She had never felt a feeling like this before, and sharing a kiss with Severus Snape surrounded by candles and roses seemed just the start of a beautiful relationship.

He released her and their lips were just a few inches apart as he looked into her green eyes. "You are so beautiful.......Beth." He whispered softly as he leaned in more and deepened the kiss. The first time he has ever called her Beth or Elizabeth was in these last two days. He loved her. She loved him too. Though Severus had never kissed a woman, he seemed very intent on making the first kiss magical for her. She blushed a little on her soft, pale cheeks as she kissed him very slowly but very passionately. They were all alone in the Hospital Wing. It felt like there was no one else in this cursed world except for them. He took his large hands and went through her gorgeous hair and felt the delicate texture of this red hair of hers. She ran a hand through his black hair, one that smelled of mystery and maybe old shoes. She liked it.